This was a rather creepy, but well-written release from this debut author. It was a read that totally engrossed me in its pages. Definitely check out my full review below...

Stalking Jack the Ripper

(Stalking Jack the Ripper #1)by Kerri Maniscalco

YA Historical Thriller, Horror

Paperback & ebook, 336 Pages

September 20th 2016 by Jimmy Patterson

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

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My Review

STALKING JACK THE RIPPER was a creepy read balanced with family, romance, and witty banter. Much of the violence is after the fact, but still gruesome as the characters investigate the murders and the bodies as they try to figure out who the murderer is. The time period and the streets of London come alive as do these characters and the horrific violence that occurs. An engrossing read for those who enjoy horror with some lighter touches or who enjoy historical romance with a creepy edge.Let me just get my disclaimer out right now that I tend to avoid horrors. I don't like the darkness and gore that is normally associated with them. However, this book didn't completely feel like that type of read. What I appreciated in this story is that it is heavily character driven while also having a strong plot. There is this gory, gruesome, violent part dealing with Jack the Ripper and these corpses that the characters pry open and assess that is balanced with romance, whit, sweet moments, and Audrey finding out what she's made of as she begins to come into her own. All of this mixed with the lovely banter and the excellent writing is what made this such an enjoyable read for me.I also really loved these characters, or at least Audrey and Thomas with all their quirks. Audrey was curious, sassy, smart, and found herself constantly fighting against societal norms. There is also quite a few men in her life: a brother, a father, a coroner uncle who she studies under, another assistant to her uncle who plays a romantic interest, and a police investigator who also has a romantic interest in Audrey. They are all heavily involved and tangled up in the story. There was a definite hint at a love triangle, but I didn't feel it ever completely forms, which I appreciated.The last piece of this story that I enjoyed was that it kept me guessing. Everyone could almost be a suspect. No one really felt right for the villain to me and I knew there were some red herrings, but I didn't quite figure out exactly who the villain was until almost the very end when the heroine figures it out. Kudos to the author for fooling me for so long! I am rather curious how this series and Audrey will evolve after the conclusion of this first book and will definitely be finding out.In the end, was it what I wished for? Yes. Besides some places being just a little too gruesome this was a perfect read for me. I loved the setting, time period, characters, plot, and romance and how well it was all balanced.Content: Quite a bit of violence and some gore, mostly studied in a scientific manner through a coroner and his assistants.Source: Received eARC from NetGalley through the tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats. Stalking Jack the Ripper is her debut novel. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history, and is the first in a new series of gothic thrillers.

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About Tressa

Welcome to Wishful Endings! This is where I geek out about all things bookish (mostly YA, but also Romance, Christian Romance, LDS Romance, and occasionally other genres and hobby titles)! I always include content info in my reviews so you know what you're diving into. I enjoy helping publishers and authors promote their books as a tour host for Prism Book Tours. Outside of blogging, I'm a total Marvel geek, Austen lover, and enjoy hanging with the family (husband, four kiddos, and pup).

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